RCB Playing XI vs MI: RCB vs MI LIVE – Royal Challengers Bangalore are down even before beginning their IPL 2023 campaign. They have lost Will Jacks. Rajat Patidar is also out for at least the initial phase. Wanindu Hasaranga is yet to join. Hence, Michael Bracewell is set to make his IPL debut against Mumbai Indians. Virat Kohli and the captain Faf du Plessis will open the innings. But the concerns will remain as Josh Hazlewood is also missing Saturday’s encounter. Follow Indian Premier League LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Glenn Maxwell, Michael Bracewell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik(w), Karn Sharma, Harshal Patel, Akash Deep, Reece Topley, Mohammed Siraj
Subs: Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Mahipal Lomror, Sonu Yadav, David Willey
The only good news for RCB is that Glenn Maxwell is 100% fit to play despite claims that his injury will take at least 3 more months to completely heal. However, with spin department already down to all-rounders, RCB can bank on the likes of Shahbaz Ahmed, Maxwell, Bracewell as well as Karn Sharma or Mahipal Lomror. They will have enough quality with the spin.
However, it is their shaky top order that has been a cause for concern. Last season, Virat Kohli was terribly out of form and hence the top order struggled. Now that Kohli is basking in form and so is Faf du Plessis, RCB can expect sparks. But with Patidar out, RCB will have to rely on either Anuj Rawat or Suyash Prabhudessai. Either of the domestic star will play at No 3 ahead of Maxwell at No 4.
But it’s Michael Bracewell who excites RCBians. Although a replacement, Bracewell smashed a 55-ball century in RCB’s intra-squad practice match. Hence, there is little doubt that he will make his debut against MI.
RCB vs MI: What to expect from RCB on Chinnaswamy return?
- With Michael Bracewell delivering a powerful knock, Chinnaswamy’s loyalists will expect a splendid debut.
- His knock is also likely to keep fellow Kiwi Finn Allen out of the XI.
- But the treat will once again be Virat Kohli’s love affair with Chinnaswamy.
- Kohli’s return to Chinnaswamy did not go as per plan in the Test against Sri Lanka.
- Kohli will want to rectify that, especially after a poor last season.
- The other debutant is likely to be Reece Topley for whom RCB paid Rs 1.9 Cr. If he makes his debut, David Willey will be benched.
- Mohammed Siraj and Harshal Patel will continue to lead the pace attack until Josh Hazlewood’s return.
Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water Moment of the Day 📸
A rapid-fire hundred in the practice game and Michael Bracewell looks set to go! 💯🤌#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2023 #Choosebold #RoyalChallenge pic.twitter.com/zrx7s2pR8i
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 31, 2023
Maxwell is the other candidate a lot of eyes will be on. The Aussie all-rounder spent three months on the sidelines after a freak injury. Since his return, he has played only three matches. His return to international cricket was also not a successful one. While there had been doubts over his availability against MI, Mike Hesson, RCB’s director of cricket, has cleared the air.
“Hazlewood will join the group on April 13 and will continue his last bit of rehab in India. We are hopeful that he will be available to play soon after arriving. Maxwell is absolutely fine. He has played all our warm-up games and we expect him to play our opening IPL game,” Mike Hesson told Sportstar.
A century, few 50+ scores, and both teams scoring 200+ in our first practice game.😎 Our batsmen were on song at the Chinnaswamy! 😁
Our first #IPL home game is two days away. Are you excited, 12th Man Army? 🤩#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/Qo0whteC5V
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 31, 2023
RCB Full Squad: Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammad Siraj, Faf Du Plessis, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga (Unavailable), Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmed, Rajat Patidar (Unavailable), Anuj Rawat, Akash Deep, Josh Hazlewood (Unavailable), Mahipal Lomror, Finn Allen, Suyash Prabhudessai, Karn Sharma, Siddharth Kaul, David Willey, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh, Sonu Yadav, Michael Bracewell
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